Reviews > Knives > Axes and Tomahawks > Test Report by Doug White

HULTS BRUK TARNABY
TEST SERIES BY DOUG WHITE
INITIAL REPORT
November 08, 2015

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: I've been backpacking for several years. I have tested a lot of different systems to find what works the best for me. I pack as light as possible without sacrificing comfort and functionality. I enjoy backpacking in all kinds of weather including winter. I also do snowshoeing and year-round mountaineering. I backpack in the Rocky Mountains just below treeline most of the time. My trips are normally at least a few miles (5 km) or more. Anytime I can get out and enjoy the mountains, even for a day hike, I do.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Hults Bruk
Manufacturer's Website: www.hultsbruk1697.se

The Tarnaby

MSRP: US$89.00
Listed Weight: 2.2 lb (998 g)
Listed Length: 15 in (38 cm)
Listed axe head weight: 1.25 lb (567 g)
Measured Weight (Including sheath): 2 lb 4 oz (1.02 kg)
Measured Length: 15.25 in (38.7 cm) x 6 in (15.2 cm)
Measured Thickness of axe head: 1 in (2.5 cm)
Other details: The Tarnaby is a Swedish-made hatchet designed for smaller wood work and processing kindling. Per the manufacturer website, Hults Bruk has been making axes in Sweden since 1697. The hatchet comes with an instruction booklet that also includes wonderful and intriguing information about the company's history including some color pictures. Also per their website, the hatchet's head is made from hand-forged steel and is struck multiple times for better edge-retention, and the handle is made from American Hickory and is treated with linseed oil. The hatchet also comes with a leather sheath. The hatchet comes with a uniquely-shaped storage box.

Packaging and Info Booklet

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

Let's start with the box. Although cardboard, it is uniquely shaped and rather appealing, in my opinion. Inside was the sheathed hatchet along with a small instruction booklet. The instruction booklet was informative and intriguing, containing information about the company's history, a little about how the axe heads are made, and even details about care, maintenance, repair, and sharpening instructions.

The hatchet itself is a beautiful piece of work and I am anxious to get out and test it. The steel head isn't perfect looking and even has some gouges. I can tell it was hand-forged. These visual imperfections make the tool more appealing to me with the feeling it was manufactured with quality. The head also has a Hults Bruk logo branded into it, and per the instruction booklet, this is done as the head is being forged. The weight of the head during swinging feels like a good weight for chopping power. The handle is also very visually appealing to me and has slight curves to it. The end of the handle has a hole in it for attaching a lanyard. The grip area is very comfortable in my hand and measures approximately 1.5 in (3.8 cm) x 1 in (2.5 cm). The handle is attached to the head with a thin wooden wedge and a circular metal keeper/punch to keep the wedge in place. The sheath is made from leather and has small metal rivets to keep the leather together. The rivets give it a very rustic look. The sheath is held on to the hatchet head with a leather rope that is woven through the main part of the sheath. This rope can be loosened or tightened with a simple pull.

Leather Sheath

Handle Wedge

I tried it out on about ten pieces of wood and it swings easily and splits wood easily in one swing.

TESTING STRATEGY

I really want to test the durability of this hatchet. My testing environment is extreme and cold. In the winter, fire wood is a must. This should be a great testing environment to see if this hatchet holds up to the elements and the use. I also want to test how well the edge is held prior to sharpening and how often I have to sharpen it. At minimum I plan to build a fire in the snow that will sustain itself for hours using no other tools other than the hatchet. I also hope to do some small shelter building using nothing but the hatchet as well.

SUMMARY

So far, the hatchet is very cosmetically appealing and feels well-built. I love everything about it so far and am really looking forward to getting out and testing this tool.

Thank you Hults Bruk and Backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

This concludes my Initial Report. The Field Report will be added in about two months.

Reviews > Knives > Axes and Tomahawks > Test Report by Doug White